Choosing your perfect tour type.We offer just about every type of adventure imaginable. Explore with other likeminded travellers on our organised group tours, alternatively try a private departure or talk to our tailormade team if you want more flexibility.

Explore the world with your family.Our Explore family adventure holidays are designed for families looking for a fun and memorable holiday, allowing you to explore exotic and unique destinations, with all of the logistics taken care of.

The one stop shop for all things special. Keep up to date with our latest special offers, promotions and incentives. Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to hear about great new tours, competitions, special offers and other exclusive deals. Sign up now!

Welcome to Explore - The Adventure Travel Experts.Explore has been running small group responsible adventures for nearly 35 years so you can be confident that you are in safe hands. Browse to find out more about Explore, our staff, tour leaders and values.

Burma by Boat - Introducing Mergui

Added 09 Apr 2014

Burma has had its doors open for a couple of years now, and what better way to discover village life than on a relaxing cruise. The Irrawaddy River flows some 2000 km through the centre of the country and is Burma’s most important commercial waterway. Its name is believed to derive from the Sanskrit word, meaning “elephant river”. Enjoy a relaxing journey on the river between Mandalay and Bagan, passing rural villages and ancient temples while witnessing local life along the riverbanks. Or go on a true adventure to the little-visited Mergui Archipelago, made up of around 800 islands, it is an area home to the nomadic sea gypsies or Moken as they are known locally.

On an Explore Tailormade holiday we have a range of cruise options from one to four nights, with a choice of comfort levels to suit a variety of different budgets. Our Asia Regional Specialists will help you choose the right option for you:

Sea Gypsy – (Authentic)

The Sea Gypsy operates on either five or seven day itineraries which sail around the island visiting sea gypsy communities, deserted beaches, wonderful snorkel spots and tiny islets where you can kayak or trek through the mangroves. The Sea Gypsy has just five open-air gazebo areas which are transformed into spacious beds with mosquito nets for the evening. The boat has shared facilities with showers, a large sundeck and plenty of space in the shade for relaxing too. A five day trip based on two people sharing costs from £840 per person. This includes all meals, snacks and soft drinks, airport or port transfers, plus full use of snorkel and kayak gear. Price excludes Mergui Archipelago fees, from £85 depending on duration of stay.

Mergui Princess – (Comfort)

The Mergui Archipelago is located close to the border with Thailand in the south of the country and has not been open to visitors for very long. The untouched coasts, beaches and coves are an excellent place to go diving or snorkelling where a huge range of fish, rays, octopus and colourful coral can be found.

Stay on the Mergui Princess where you can kayak, explore the untouched islands or jump overboard for a refreshing swim. Prices start range from £750 to £1355 per person for a three day to six day itinerary, based on an air-conditioned twin cabin, inclusive of all meals plus soft drinks, transfers from the port, English speaking guide plus snorkel and kayak gear.

Alternatively, if you’d rather stay on dry land, the Myanmar Andaman Resort offers four to 14 day packages, starting from £400 per person in an air-conditioned cottage, including transfers from the main land, breakfasts and a four-course dinner plus a full-day snorkelling trip.

Irrawaddy Princess II – (Authentic)

Operating on two or three day itineraries, the Irrawaddy Princess II cruises the Irrawaddy River, stopping to see Mingun Bell, Sagaing Hill temples and Yandapo Village along the way. The boat has three decks with 18 cabins located on both lower and upper decks. Cabins are all en suite, air-conditioned and decorated in a typical Burmese design with wood panelling and Asian-style soft furnishings. There is an air-conditioned dining room, a bar and spacious sun deck with open and shaded areas to relax on. In the evenings passengers can enjoy a traditional Burmese dance on the sundeck.

Prices including transfers, sightseeing, meals and accommodation for a two night cruise start from £420 per person, based on two sharing.

Paukan 2007 – (Comfort)

Paukan is the ancient name given to the area that we now call Bagan; this vessel of the same name was built in 2007 and can accommodate up to 55 passengers, plus a friendly crew of 30. The cabins and communal areas are decorated in a colonial style with modern facilities. There is a dining room on the main deck and on the lower deck there are massage rooms to help guests wind down after a day’s sightseeing. On the sun deck there is a bar, lounge/movie room and a stage where passengers can enjoy cultural performances by the Mandalay Arts School (when available). The Paukan 2007 journeys from Mandalay to Bagan and reverse, on two day or three day itineraries stopping en route at Mingun Pagoda, Sagaing Hill and Yadapo Village, known for its handmade terracotta pots.

Prices including transfers, sightseeing, meals and accommodation for a one night cruise start from £425 per person, based on two sharing.

Amara – (Comfort)

The Amara is a teak wood cruiser built in a traditional Burmese style. It is 30 m long, accommodating up to 14 passengers in just seven cabins. With a small number of guests on board the Amara provides an exclusive and intimate cruising experience. Cabins are all en suite and the communal areas include a bar, restaurant and sundeck to enjoy the views from. The Amara offers three or four day cruises along the Irrawaddy River between Mandalay and Bagan, stopping en route at Mingun Pagoda, the peaceful temples at Sagaing Hill and Yandapo Village – where a treaty was signed between the British and Burmese in 1826.

Prices including transfers, sightseeing, meals and accommodation for a two night cruise start from £935 per person, based on two sharing.

Paukan 2012 – (Indulge)

The Paukan 2012, smaller than the Paukan 2007 is the most recent addition to the fleet. The décor on the teak wood boat is modern and elegant with a touch of Burmese design through traditional motifs, wooden figures, fabrics and paintings. The boat has 16 twin or double en suite cabins, plus two premier cabins on the upper deck, leading out to a private balcony. There is a dining room, bar, relaxing air-conditioned lounge and a shaded sun deck. The Paukan 2012 journeys from Mandalay to Bagan on two day or three day itineraries.

Prices including transfers, sightseeing, meals and accommodation for a one night cruise start from £730 per person, based on two sharing.